Steamer stain fighter:A vending machine for removing stains

ABSTRACT

A self-contained machine for removing stains from textiles with the air compressor and solvent all contained with-in the same unit. The machine can be used in a home setting or a coin-changer attached to allow it to be a self-service profit center. This allows stains to be removed quickly and allowing the textile to remain in use without any laundering or drycleaning procedures needed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention grew out the textile care field. The problem ofstain removal from textiles (i.e. the clothes that people wear) is adaily problem. The removal of stains to be successful must restore thefabric to its original condition without damage.

The current answers to this problem while effective are costly both intime and timeliness. The first drawback is the current methods require aspecialist to perform the task which is expensive. The second drawbackis the timeliness of this process. The sooner after staining the easierit is to remove without negative consequences(i.e. color loss or damageto the fibers). The present invention allows a person to perform thistask by oneself whenever a stain is caused. Therefore the presentinvention reduces the cost and increases the effectiveness of the stainremoval process by allowing it to be removed immediately. The presentinvention also eliminates the need to launder or dryclean the item toremove the spotting agents used to remove the stain, thereby allowingthe user to continue to wear the item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, this invention has as an object the provision of allowingthe spot removal to be accomplished by the self-service method, eitherat home or anywhere the machine is placed.

A further object contemplates as its goal to provide this as a profitmaking device for the business where the machine is located in the formof a coin changer to activate the machine, not needed on a home unit.

It is yet a further object that this invention could be incorporatedinto the cabinet that houses other textile cleaning devices like awashing machine or dryer using the motors and such as parts of theinvention, thus reducing the cost for manufacture and installation.

Another object of the invention is to allow the user to continue wearingthe garment after the stain has been removed without having to rinse thepre-spotting agent by laundering or drycleaning the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the device showing the inside with the aircompressor parts and the bottom of the solvent reservoir. This view alsoshows the parts of the air compressor: motor, air reservoir. The garmentplatform is on the top and the coin changer is on the outside supplyingthe power to the unit.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the side with the operable parts. Thehoses from the inside (air reservoir and solvent reservoir) connectingto the air gun. The coin changer is on the side. The garment platform ison this side as well providing a hook for resting the spotting gun.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the reservoir cap, coin changer, garmentplatform and the spotting gun.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 a frontal view is shown that details all of theparts of the machine. The invention is essentially comprised of acabinet with lock 8. The air compressor motor 1 and the air reservoir 2are located inside to avoid tampering. This makes the machine portableand not needing to be attached to a stand alone air compressor. Thesolvent reservoir 3 is located in an opening in the top of the unit andis inside the cabinet with only the top open for adding solvent. Thisreservoir has a cap 9 for filling. This again allows for portability ofthe unit not needing to be attached to an external solvent source. Agarment platform 5 is attached to the top and off to the side to give aplace if necessary to lay the garment on for support in the stainremoval activity. This platform is attached by the supports12. Thisplatform has holes to allow the solvent not to puddle under the garmentand to allow it to vaporize before hitting the ground. An air/solventdispensing gun 4 is attached by two hoses 6 and set on a hook on thegarment platform. The hoses come out of holes made in the side of thecabinet. One of the hoses is attached to the solvent reservoir 10 andthe other hose is attached to the air reservoir 11. A coin changer 7with coin box is mounted on the side. Thus the machine can be used as aself-service profit center anywhere the machine can be placed. The coinchanger also delivers power to the machine via a power cord 6. Themachine runs on 110 VAC.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the holes where the hoses 6 come out ofthe cabinet. The figure gives a front view of the coin changer 7 withcoin box. There is a view of the location of the garment platform 5 withthe air/solvent gun 4 attached with a hook.

In operation one places the prescribed amount of money in the coinchanger 7. The solvent reservoir must have solvent in it, this willusually be water as this is the solvent that will take out almost allfood stains and will flush out without negative consequences any watersoluble stain removal used as well. Water is also readily available inmost locales. The user then uses the air gun to blast the stain off thegarment. Compressing the handle on the gun part way dispenses air onlyand all the way dispenses air and solvent. A combination of thisactivity will result in most stains being immediately removed. No otherlaundering or drycleaning is necessary. The process can be accomplishedwhile wearing the garment or by removing and placing on the garmentplatform.

While the present invention has been described as a portable stand aloneunit, the internal and external parts could be made a part of anothermachine like a washing machine or dryer, thereby using the existingcabinet of the other machine to act as the cabinet for this machine. Theparts of this invention being placed inside and outside respectively.

1. a self-contained machine for removing stains comprised of an internalair compressor, internal solvent reservoir and dispensing gun.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 with a coin changer attached.
 3. The device of claim 1where the parts of said machine are reconfigured and placed inside andoutside respectively of another machine like a washing machine or dryer.